Grace Quotes

(J. C. Philpot, "The Precepts of the Word of God") Were there no precepts in the New Testament, we would be without an inspired rule of life, without an authoritative guide for our walk and conduct before the Church and the world. We rightly discard and reject the 'law of Moses' as the believer's rule of life. What, then, is our rule? Are we a set of lawless wretches who may live as we desire, according to the libelous charge of the enemies of truth? God forbid! We have a divine, authoritative rule of life, a code of directions of the amplest, fullest, minutest character, intended and sufficient to regulate and control every thought, word, and action of our lives; and all flowing from the eternal wisdom and will of the Father, sealed and ratified by the blood of the Son, and inspired and revealed by the Holy Spirit. When, then, it is thrown in our teeth that, by discarding the 'law of Moses' as our rule of life, we prove ourselves licentious, lawless Antinomians; this is our answer, and let God and His word decide whether it be not a sufficient one. We have a rule of life as far exceeding the 'law of Moses' as the new covenant of grace and truth--exceeds and outshines the old covenant of works; and as much as the ministration of the Spirit, of life, and of righteousness--excels in glory the ministration of the letter, of death, and of condemnation. (2 Corinthians 3:6-11) The gospel, not the Mosaic law, is the believer's rule of life. In a word, the precepts of the New Testament, in all their fullness, minuteness, and comprehensiveness, are the believer's rule of life. Most of the old Puritan and Reformed writers have entered largely and fully into the preceptive parts of the word of God. But as they hold the Mosaic law as the believer's rule of life, their views were necessarily legal, confused and imperfect. Philpot's "The Precepts of the Word of God" is the most balanced and Biblical treatment on the believer's rule of life that we have ever read. Many 'Reformed' people tend to hold legalistic views. Many 'Sovereign Grace' people tend to hold antinomian views. "The Precepts of the Word of God" is must reading for all pastors.